Studying abroad does not have to cost a fortune. Each year, thousands of Indian students receive scholarships worth ₹20L to ₹1 crore or more. These range from fully funded government scholarships to merit-based university awards. Here are the 10 most valuable scholarships you should apply for in 2026.
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance + flights + visa
- Destination: UK (any university)
- Level: Master's (1 year)
- Eligibility: 2+ years work experience, Indian citizenship
- Deadline: November (for following September intake)
- Value: ~£30,000 (₹32L+)
2. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + flights + visa
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Eligibility: Must demonstrate development impact for India
- Deadline: October–December
- Administered by: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Coverage: Full tuition + €850/month living stipend + health insurance
- Destination: Germany
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Eligibility: Strong academic record (70%+), relevant work experience
- Deadline: October–November (varies by program)
- Note: Over 200 Indian students receive DAAD annually
4. Australia Awards Scholarships
- Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance + airfare
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Deadline: April–May
- Value: ~AUD 60,000–100,000 total
- Focus: Students from development sectors (governance, education, health)
5. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (USA)
- Coverage: Tuition + living + airfare + health insurance
- Level: Master's, PhD, and Post-doctoral research
- Deadline: July 15 each year
- Fields: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM
- Note: Highly competitive — requires strong research proposal
6. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Coverage: Up to $100,000 (₹84L) for tuition and living
- Destination: USA, UK, or Europe
- Level: Master's and PhD at top 30 universities
- Deadline: March
- Eligibility: Indian citizens below 30 years, strong academic record
7. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (Canada)
- Value: CAD 10,000–15,000/yr
- Level: Master's and PhD at Ontario universities
- Eligibility: Any nationality — merit-based
- Applied through your Ontario university admission
| Scholarship | Country | Value (INR) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | ₹32L+ | November |
| Commonwealth | UK | Full funding | Oct–Dec |
| DAAD | Germany | ₹18L/yr | Oct–Nov |
| Australia Awards | Australia | ₹50L–84L | April–May |
| Fulbright-Nehru | USA | ₹40L+ | July 15 |
| Inlaks Foundation | USA/UK/EU | Up to ₹84L | March |
| Ontario Graduate | Canada | ₹6.1–9.1L/yr | Varies |
| NUS/NTU Research | Singapore | Full + stipend | Dec–Feb |
| MEXT | Japan | Full + stipend | May–June |
| VLIR-UOS | Belgium | Full funding | February |
🎯 Scholarship tip: Apply to at least 5–6 scholarships simultaneously. Most have complementary eligibility criteria. Our counsellors at Jaivik Overseas can review your scholarship essays and maximize your chances.